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PlayStation Vita TV seeing 'strong response' outside of Japan, Sony looking into EU / US launch
As if it weren't already expected enough, PlayStation Vita TV is almost certainly headed to territories outside of Japan. "During the presentation yesterday, the European / American users showed a very strong response, more than we expected, and there has been a strong inquiry / request / demand that they want the product," SVP and Division President of Business Division 1 at Sony Computer Entertainment Masayasu Ito told Engadget in an interview today. "Of course we are thinking of launching in the EU and US, but in terms of timing we have to watch the timing and watch the environment carefully," he added. That echoes statements made by Sony, who told us "We are considering every opportunity, but have nothing to announce at this time" a few weeks back. What Ito expanded on, though, was how the system might change before heading to other regions. "If we have to add further services or not. It's not that we have decided, but cloud gaming services, how can we work on that? So we are looking at each of the possible items before launching in Europe or the United States," he told us. Interesting indeed, especially considering the upcoming Gaikai game streaming functionality for PlayStation game consoles. It sounds like the rest of the world won't see Vita TV this year, but rest assured, it's almost certainly on the way. Check out all our Tokyo Game Show 2013 coverage right here at our hub!
PlayStation 4's SVP explains delayed Japan launch, cites domestic Vita success
The PlayStation 4 launches on November 15th. Well, it does in the US. For Japanese gamers, they're going to have to wait over three months before they're able to buy Sony's next-gen console. But why? A lot of Japanese gamers are not happy, and SCEJA's CEO excused the later launch, saying that the company needed more time to ensure the game selection was up to standard for Japanese audiences. However, it wasn't quite enough to quash complaints from its native fans. In a roundtable interview at TGS 2013 with Sony's SVP of PlayStation hardware, Masayasu Ito explained that in Japan, its portable devices continue to sell well -- in comparison to Europe and the US. Thus, the company decided to launch the PS4 in the west first, where there was already "much more excitement" about next-generation consoles. (It also explains why Sony Computer Entertainment Japan focused on refreshed Vita hardware and the Vita TV before this year's Tokyo Game Show even began). "Until now, we've placed emphasis on the launch titles that are ready for Europe and the US... As I said, in Japan, portable devices are selling very well. So, first and foremost, gaming titles released in Japan would be first for Vita and portables. That's why the PS4 will come later." However, that's not to say that Sony Japan's game studios aren't already at work on PS4 titles: Knack, for example, is being developed in the Land of the Rising Sun. "Our worldwide studios look at worldwide titles rather than directing attention to the Japan-centric titles. So what's being worked on in Japan is not Japanese-specific, but could (also) be applied on a worldwide basis." He added that Japan will see around 19 games at launch, with "continuous titles" appearing after that. As a note, both the US and European PS4s can expect roughly 33 games within a "launch window" that will last until the end of 2013. Check out all our Tokyo Game Show 2013 coverage right here at our hub!
